Mum's Plea After Teen Was Denied Cancer Drugs

By Liz Lane, Sky Reporter

The family of a teenage girl who died from a rare form of bone cancer is calling for the relaxation of rules governing who is eligible to take part in potentially life-saving drugs trials.

Despite the pleas of her parents, doctors and politicians, Chloe Drury was refused access to treatment being trialled by American pharmaceutical company BioMarin.

Her family says she was told last September, when she was 17, that she was too young to take part, and that her participation could "jeopardise [her] safety and the integrity of the trial data".

Chloe, from Purley in Surrey, died in February, a month after her 18th birthday. She had finally been allowed on the course to treat her Ewing's Sarcoma, but the cancer had progressed aggressively and it was too late.

Her mother, Debbie Binner, says she felt totally impotent.

Chloe's mum, Debbie, wants age restrictions for drugs trials to be lifted

"We were just sitting there watching our beautiful 17-year-old daughter get weaker and weaker, knowing there is something out there she could have had and it just seems totally wrong to me, and not a world that I want to live in that treats young people like that."

BioMarin said in a statement: "Our deepest sympathy goes out to the parents who are grieving the loss of their child. It is precisely because of patients who suffer from devastating rare genetic diseases that BioMarin develops therapies where there are few, if any, options.

"Ewings Sarcoma is a terrible, aggressive disease, and we hope to make a difference in this type of outcome. We are conducting a Phase 1/2 trial in several genetically defined cancers. Not only is this an early stage trial, but it is the first clinical trial that we have ever done with this therapy. It is premature to know if it is safe or effective."

The family wants age restrictions for clinical trials to be lifted. Currently fewer than 20% of 15 to 24-year-olds who have cancer are on one.

Cancer Research UK's clinical research director Kate Law admits the criteria, which sometimes stop teenagers taking part, are not always logical.

Chloe seen meeting Prince William and the Duchess Of Cambridge

"Actually for many trials I think there is no good reason. They could either go down, and join the children's trial, or they could go up and join an adult trial. And in fact the committee that I'm responsible for specifically looks at the age range for each new application. So I think we've taken on board some of the concerns that pre-dated even this sad case."

Concerns about the potential compromising of the integrity of a trial is one of the reasons drugs companies are reluctant to bend the rules, as is the fear of being sued if something goes wrong.

Les Halpin, from Tetbury in Gloucestershire, who suffers from motor neurone disease, wants experimental drugs to be available in return for terminally ill patients giving up the right to take legal action if they experience side effects.

He believes such a move would benefit not just the patient.

"The numbers of trials are very low because of the cost of having them and the current regulations put a lot of risk into drug trials which will slow the whole process down. The protocol will allow willing patients to force the pace of drug discovery and bring it much more in line with the pace of technological science."

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Demo Against UK's Use Of Armed Drones

In a first national protest, anti-war demonstrators are to gather outside an RAF base today to voice their opposition to the UK's use of armed drones in Afghanistan.

Members of the Stop The War Coalition, CND, The Drone Campaign Network and War on Want will march from Lincoln to nearby RAF Waddington.

The RAF began remotely operating its Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles deployed to Afghanistan from the Lincolnshire airbase earlier this week.

Previously operated from a US Air Force base in Nevada, the aircraft are used to support coalition ground forces in Afghanistan.

The hi-tech Reaper drones are primarily used to gather intelligence on enemy activity on the ground, but they also carry 500lb bombs and Hellfire missiles for precision strikes on insurgents.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the RAF said it had commenced supporting the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan ground troops with "armed intelligence and surveillance missions" remotely piloted from RAF Waddington.

The organisers of the protest march and rally are calling on the Government to abandon the use of drones, claiming they make it easier for politicians to launch military interventions, and have increased civilian casualties.

Remote pilots can operate the drones and fire missiles

Commenting ahead of the protest, War on Want senior campaigns officer Rafeef Ziadah said: "Drones, controlled far away from conflict zones, ease politicians' decisions to launch military strikes and order extrajudicial assassinations, without democratic oversight or accountability to the public.

"Now is the time to ban killer drones - before it is too late."

Chris Nineham, vice-chairman of the Stop the War Coalition, claimed drones were being used to continue the "deeply unpopular War on Terror" with no public scrutiny.

Calling for armed drones to be banned, Mr Nineham said: "They're using them to fight wars behind our backs."

The Ministry of Defence has defended its use of drones in Afghanistan, which it says have saved the lives of countless military personnel and civilians.

An MoD spokesman said: "UK Reaper aircraft are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere strictly to the same laws of armed conflict and are bound by the same clearly defined rules of engagement which apply to traditionally manned RAF aircraft."

Lincolnshire Police have held talks with the organisers of the protest to minimise disruption to the local community.

The route of the march from South Common along the A15 to the peace camp site opposite RAF Waddington will see the road closed in phases to limit inconvenience to drivers.

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Nationwide Drive To Boost MMR Vaccination

By Gamal Fahnbulleh, Sky News Reporter

One million children will be targeted in a measles vaccination drive across Britain as an outbreak in Wales continues to grow.

The aim is to prevent measles outbreaks by vaccinating as many unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 10 to 16 year olds as possible in time for the next school year.

The number of people infected with measles in southwest Wales has shot up by 78 in just five days, taking the total who have contracted the disease to 886.

A 25-year-old father-of-one from Swansea, who had the disease, died a week ago.

Experts believe around 330,000 children aged 10 to 16 years remain unvaccinated.

Mairead Flavin is a nurse at a GP surgery in Middlesex. She has seen an increase in the number of parents getting their children vaccinated and believes the message is getting through.

Gareth Williams, who had measles, died a week ago

"It's more standard practice now. Back in the day it wasn't. You had to do a lot of convincing and had to try to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. At this moment in time I think they're very anxious to have it done."

Experts believe the rise in measles cases can be mostly attributed to the proportion of unprotected 10-16 year olds who missed out on vaccination in the late 1990s and early 2000s when concern around the discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread.

Professor David Salisbury, Director of immunisation at the Department of Health, said: "At the moment the hotspots in particular are in the North East and North West.

"That's quite different from where the vulnerability is and the vulnerability is all over the country. London is a real risk but we must be sure that any child anywhere in the country who has not had two doses of MMR gets vaccinated."

Dr Paul Cosford, Director for Health Protection at Public Health England, said: " We believe this national framework for a catch-up programme sets out an appropriate response to the situation in England, using the range of expertise and skills across the new public health system.

"Although nationally the numbers needing catch-up vaccination is quite large, the are relatively few in each local area.

"We are confident that local teams have the resources to identify and vaccinate those children most at risk, and the NHS has sufficient vaccine to cover the approaches described in the action plan."

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London Bus Stabbing: Boy, 16, Dies

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed on a bus in London.

Police were called just after 3pm on Tuesday after the boy was stabbed on the route 393 bus.

The bus was stopped at Highbury New Park, and the youngster was treated at the scene by the ambulance service.

He was taken by air ambulance to an east London hospital, where he died late on Wednesday.

His next of kin has been informed.

A post-mortem will be held in due course.

A 15-year-old boy is currently being held at a north London police station on suspicion of attempted murder.

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Weather: Britain Set For Year's Hottest Day

Spring sunshine could see parts of the UK enjoy the country's hottest weather of the year so far - before plummeting temperatures and a sudden cold snap take hold.

Large swathes of east Wales and southern and eastern England have been basking in clear skies and bright sunshine, with 20.5C (68.9F) recorded at Frittenden in Kent on Tuesday.

And while temperatures will plunge by Friday, Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day yet of 2013.

Sky News Weather Producer Joanna Robinson said: "Southeast England looks to keep the warmth over the next few days, but there will be more in the way of cloud around than on Tuesday.

"Temperatures could reach 21C (69.8F) or 22C (71.6F) in the best of the sunny spells there, which would equal the highest temperature we've seen so far in 2013, in Manston and Gravesend on April 14."

But she added that the mercury could drop below double figures in many parts of the country later in the week.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the warmth will last into the weekend," she said.

"Rain will spread across south-east England on Thursday night, allowing the cooler air further north to set in.

"Friday and Saturday look to be fairly cold nationwide, with temperatures reaching a high of just 10C (50F) or 11C (51F) in the South East.

"Scotland and Northern Ireland will see temperatures around 8C (46.4F). It will feel even colder in the northerly wind and we'll also see the return of overnight frosts too.

"Spring is a changeable season so it's not unusual to see spells of warmth along with cold snaps."

Meanwhile, hay fever sufferers have received some good news as experts predicted a shorter hay fever season this summer.

Cold weather over recent months is thought to have delayed the release of silver birch and grass pollen.

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Briton Dies Swimming Off Holiday Island

A Briton has died after reportedly getting into difficulties in the sea off the Canary Islands.

The man, who has not been formally identified, was spotted face down in the water after leaving friends on the beach to go for a swim on the holiday island of Lanzarote.

He was dragged out of the water unconscious, according to reports, but he was pronounced dead after efforts to revive him failed.

The victim was at the island's Famara Beach with friends when the tragedy happened late on Saturday afternoon.

The results of a post-mortem examination have apparently been sent to a judge put in charge of a routine inquiry into the case, but have not yet been made public.

A source has been reported as saying there was nothing to suggest the case was anything other than an accident.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Lanzarote on April 20.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

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British Gran On Bali Death Row: Deadline Due

The deadline expires today for lawyers representing a British woman on death row in Bali to appeal against her sentence.

Lindsay Sandiford, 56, was sentenced to death by firing squad by a court in Bali in January for taking £1.6m of cocaine on to the island last year.

On Monday Sandiford lost an appeal over the UK Government's refusal to fund her legal challenge against her death sentence.

The Court of Appeal in London heard Sandiford needs about £8,000 to fight on - and only £2,000 has so far been raised.

But the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) refused to fund her case as a matter of Government policy.

The FCO reiterated the UK's opposition to the death penalty and said it had repeatedly made representations to the Indonesian government about the case.

Sandiford remains in a race against time to raise the money to take her case to Indonesia's Supreme Court in Jakarta as the deadline expires at midnight Tuesday local time (5pm GMT).

Her execution by firing squad has been scheduled for May 7.

Sandiford lost her first appeal to the Bali High Court

If she makes the deadline and the Supreme Court also rejects her plea, she can then seek a judicial review of the decision from the same court.

After that, only the president can grant her a reprieve.

Sandiford lost her first appeal to the Bali High Court on April 8 after a closed hearing of three judges decided the lower court's original sentence had been "accurate and correct".

Balinese police said Sandiford was at the centre of a drugs-importing ring involving three other Britons.

But the grandmother, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, claimed she was forced to transport the drugs to protect her children whose safety was at stake.

She received the death sentence despite prosecutors asking only for a 15-year jail term, after she was accused of damaging the image of Bali.

Sandiford told those who have donated money towards her appeal that she has been humbled by the experience as she deals with "the ultimate emotional rollercoaster ride".

She also said she is appealing "first and foremost" so she can meet her granddaughter, who was born in December.

Sandiford is from Cheltenham

In a message sent to supporters, she said: "I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and caring. I've always been an independent person and I hate not to be able to pay my way.

"So for me this is a very humbling experience having to rely on the kindness of strangers and am very deeply touched.

"I am trying to help myself. As you are probably aware the Government won't assist despite pontificating that they are opposed to the death penalty.

"I knit and have just finished a piece that I'm hoping to auction to assist paying for my local lawyer and his assistants.

"They are really good people along with the enormous debt I owe to Reprieve for their support and simple caring.

"I know I have been difficult to deal with as the situation I am in leads to the ultimate emotional rollercoaster ride. They have been brilliant."

She also thanked UK charity Prisoners Abroad for "quietly" supporting her with funds for drinking water and food.

"I will never be able to express the joy they gave to me," she said.

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Millwall Violence: Three More Arrested

Police have arrested three more men in dawn raids in connection with violence at an FA Cup semi-final between Millwall and Wigan.

The latest arrests bring the number of people detained in the case to 23, including some who have handed themselves in, police said.

Three people have been charged.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Barnes, who is leading the investigation, said: "We expect to make further arrests.

The images were seen by millions of television

"Our message is clear. Violence at football is unacceptable.  If you were involved in the violence come forward and speak with us.

"We will pursue all those responsible."

The raids were conducted in London

During the second half of Millwall's 2-0 loss to Wigan on April 13, around 20 Millwall fans were involved in clashes behind the goal at Wembley Stadium.

The disturbing scenes, which were witnessed by millions on television, left some fans bloodied and youngsters in tears.

The three men arrested today, aged 21, 22 and 27, were picked up at addresses in London by officers from Operation Arrowtip, which targets football-related crime, Scotland Yard said.

In addition, a further 17 images have been released of people at the match whom police want to speak to.

Police urged anyone with information about the violence or who recognises the people in the pictures to come forward.

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Stephen Lawrence Murder 'Sparked Change'

The Prime Minister says the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence "sparked monumental change" in British society - but that "more still needs to be done".

David Cameron made the comments ahead of a memorial service today to mark the 20th anniversary of the teenager's death.

Stephen, 18, was killed by a gang of racists who stabbed him as he waited for a bus in Eltham, southeast London on April 22, 1993.

The police investigation into his death was marred by incompetence and allegations of racism, and it took 19 years to bring any of his murderers to justice.

Mr Cameron described the "senseless killing" of Stephen as "a tragedy". 

A 2012 memorial at the site where Stephen was killed

"It was also a moment that sparked monumental change in our society - change that has been brought about by the tireless efforts of Stephen's family in challenging the police, government and society to examine themselves and ask difficult questions," he said.

"I believe that many of those questions have been answered: from improved community relations to more accountability in policing.

"Much has been achieved, but we know that more still needs to be done.

"We owe this to the memory of Stephen."

David Norris (L) and Gary Dobson (R)

Stephen's mother Doreen will be joined by friends and relatives at the memorial service which is taking place at St Martin-in-the-Fields church near Trafalgar Square.

A number of high-profile supporters of the charitable trust that she set up in her son's name are also expected to attend, and public figures including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.

He and his predecessors have attended previous memorial events for Lawrence, despite the troubled background of the case.

To mark the anniversary, a poster has been put up in New Scotland Yard featuring a personal message from Sir Bernard about the investigation.

Doreen Lawrence carrying the Olympic Torch last summer

The poster says: "Twenty years ago the Lawrence family lost their loved son, Stephen.

"We let them down by not catching his murderers. Then last year we finally brought two of his killers to justice. The Met won't forget Stephen Lawrence."

Stephen's father Neville has chosen to remember his son privately in Jamaica, taking flowers to his grave and saying a prayer with a friend who is a pastor.

Neville and Doreen Lawrence were forced to battle for nearly two decades for justice for their son, and they finally saw Gary Dobson and David Norris jailed for his murder in January last year.

The aspiring architect was set upon by a gang of five or six men, but the remainder of the killers have never been punished.

Neville Lawrence has chosen to remember his son privately

The detective leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll, said the inquiry is still live and that his team will follow any leads that come up.

"It's a live investigation. All avenues of the investigation will be left open and we will revisit them whenever we feel we have to. You never close your mind to anything," said Detective Chief Inspector Driscoll.

"We will endeavour to follow all the leads that we can."

Mrs Lawrence said she does not dare to get her hopes up about the future of the case, while her former husband said he has not given up hope of further charges being brought.

"It took us nearly 20 years to get this result and we did not know whether we would get it," Mr Lawrence said.

"I do not know if I am going to live another 20 years but I have not given up on the detectives finding a way to get the others."

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Pub Industry Gets New Code Of Conduct

New plans to protect pub landlords against high rent and beer costs to try and shore up the ailing industry have been unveiled by the Government.

Under the proposals, a code of practice and an independent adjudicator with the power to investigate and settle disputes would be introduced.

The Department of Business claims the moves will ensure fair treatment and could save landlords £100m a year.

The new code would contain mandatory rules for all pub companies who own more than 500 pubs, who are the source of 90% of complaints.

It will particularly focus on stopping firms abusing the beer tie, under which landlords are forced to buy beer from the pub owner instead of on the open market.

Ministers hope the changes will also boost small British beer and ale manufacturers by opening up pubs to select independent beers.

The adjudicator would be able to impose sanctions and fines in cases of abuse - ending the self-regulation which has been in place since 2004.

The Government is putting the plans out for consultation and wants to look at whether the ownership threshold is fair.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "We gave pub companies every chance to get their house in order. But despite four select committee reports over almost a decade highlighting the problems faced by publicans, it is clear the voluntary approach isn't working.

"Pubs are small businesses under a great deal of pressure, many of which have had to close. Much of that pressure has come from the powerful pub companies and our plans are designed to rebalance this relationship."

It is claimed that more than 3,500 pubs have shut since 2009 because of overcharging for rent and beer.

Figures cited by the Department of Business suggest almost half of tied pubs - which make up 48% of all the pubs in the UK - earn less than £15,000-a-year.

At the Devonshire Arms in the affluent village of Dore in Sheffield's commuter belt, licensee Tina Gage says the new code cannot come soon enough.

The pub is a bustling community hub, but she says her landlord charges £150,000 each year for rent and the drink she sells, leaving her with no salary at all.

"There's no other business in the world where you would rent a building from somebody and they would force you to buy their product," she said.

Ten years after taking on the lease she has won a rent reduction after going to court, but says unless she makes a profit soon, this year will be her last behind the bar.

"I've got to try to turn it road this year or I will have to call it a day," she warned. "And if I go, someone else will come in and take the pub and the same thing will happen to them."

The Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland, who leads the all-party Save the Pub group, has campaigned for legislation to stop what he calls wholly unacceptable rents.

"The problem here is the large pub companies in this country are based on a business model of taking more than is fair and reasonable in pub profits," he said.

"The code will address that, and the key phrase is the Government have committed that a tied licencee will not be worse off than a free-of-tie licencee."

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London Marathon: Show Of Solidarity For Boston

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

A 30-second silence will be held before the start of today's London Marathon as a mark of respect to victims of the Boston bombings.

Organisers said most of the 36,000 runners are also expected to wear black ribbons to show solidarity with the people of Boston.

Virgin London Marathon has pledged to donate £2 for every finisher to The One Fund Boston, which was set up to raise money for the victims of the explosions.

Richard Inchley, who has been registering runners for the marathon, says events in Massachusetts have not deterred competitors from taking part in the 26.2-mile challenge.

"People are more determined than ever to take part, and I can't think of a single person who wasn't eager to wear the ribbon," he said.

Every participant is being given a black ribbon to wear during the race

"One German runner was in tears as he showed me video footage of him crossing the line in Boston as the bomb went off behind him. But I think running in London will be a kind of therapy for him."

British runner Jack Cummings, who ran in the Boston Marathon, said he would also run again today.

"My wife and daughter were across the street from the second blast. It was very unnerving as people at the finish line didn't know what was happening," he explained.

"I was very apprehensive about running today. I felt so empty after what happened in Boston, but I didn't want to disappoint the charity and today I'm running for all those in Boston that got hurt or died."

Despite the death and capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, security has been stepped up to reassure the runners and spectators.

The police prescence during the London race is being stepped up by 40%

The Met is in close contact with the FBI and Boston Police, and there is nothing to suggest any link with the bomb attacks.

Malcolm Baker, a former Police Counter-Terrorism Officer, told Sky News: "The main objective of the police is to provide reassurance and public safety for both the runners and spectators, and secondly it will be to deter any copycat attacks."

Despite the 40% increase in police presence, the marathon will maintain its carnival atmosphere.

Hundreds of runners will turn out in fancy dress for the winding route from Black Heath to Buckingham Palace past some of the capital's most famous landmarks.

Half a million people usually turn up to watch the spectacle.

One volunteer race official, Lesley Inchley, said: "I think there will be even more people than usual coming to watch. Spectators will want to lend their support to the runners and send a really clear message that we won't be frightened by bombers."

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Measles Victim Died 'After He Was Sent Home'

The first victim to die in the measles outbreak in South Wales had been sent home from hospital, his mother has claimed.

Gareth Williams, 25, was discovered dead on Thursday morning at his home in the Port Tennant area of Swansea.

Initial tests revealed that Mr Williams, who is believed to have suffered from asthma, was infected with measles at the time of his death.

Further investigations are being undertaken by the Swansea Coroner to establish whether his death was due to measles or something else.

Mr Williams' mother, Angela Colfer, said he had been admitted to Swansea's Morriston Hospital after breaking out in red spots.

However, she said he had been released from hospital after several days because doctors thought he was over the worst of it.

Ms Colfer told the South Wales Evening Post: "He was covered in a rash, and what with the measles epidemic in Swansea we wanted to get him to hospital.

"He had been in Morriston Hospital for five or six days before he was sent home."

Mr Williams was treated at Morriston Hospital before his death

The claim came as hundreds more MMR jab vaccinations were administered over the weekend at emergency sessions at four hospitals around Swansea.

Thousands of children have received the MMR jab over the last three weeks amid rising concern at the rocketing rate of measles cases.

The headline rate rose to 808 on Thursday after 43 separate new cases of measles were recorded over a two-day period.

Up to 2,000 more children were vaccinated in school this week as efforts were targeted in communities most at risk.

With the pool of unprotected children reducing on a daily basis, hundreds have still turned out to hospital drop-in sessions.

Rapid vaccination teams at all four locations were well able to deal with the large numbers turning up.

Thousands of children missed out on MMR jabs from the late 1990s due to unfounded fears linking the vaccination with autism.

Despite the progress made in reaching thousands of unprotected children, the health board and Public Health Wales (PHW) are still urging those who have not been vaccinated to come forward.

They warn that people in the 10 to 18 age group, who missed out on the MMR jab in the past, are being hardest hit by the disease.

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